Shotgun shell box



m-r "am March 1960 w. R. SAUEY 2,928,530

SHOTGUN SHELL BOX Filed Sept. 8, 195a B) fi'wyzwnn 94W ATTORNEYS.

2,928,530 sHoT U SHELL ox William R. Saucy, Baraboo, Wis., a's'signor to Flambeau Plastics Corporation, Baraboo, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application September 8, 1958, Serial No. 759,499

4 Claims. (Cl. 206*3) This invention relates to a container for'packaging and storing cylindrical objects of varying diameter, and which is particularly useful for packaging shotgun shells and the like.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a container of this kind having a multiplicity of individual compartments, each compartment having depressible resilient side walls adapted to accommodate cylindrical objects having a range of diameters.

Another object is to provide a compartmentized construction in which the cylindrical objects are readily accessible for easy insertion and removal.

Another object is to provide a container of this kind wherein the cylindrical objects are completely supported along their length so that they stand erect even though their diameters vary in size.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which show a preferred form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container constructed in accordance with the invention and the cover adapted to enclose the container;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the box portion of the container;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views through a single ccmpartment showing how the arcuate projections are depressed when cylindrical objects of various diameters are inserted in the compartment.

The container consists of a cylindrical box 10 and preferably has a cover 12 with side walls that telescope over the side walls of the box. The box in the drawing is square but it will be understood that it may be longer in one dimension if desired. Semi-circular thumb notches 14 are cut in the bottom of the cover side walls to facilitate gripping the box 10 with the fingers when the cover 12 is being removed. Molded into the side wall of the box in registration with the notches 14 are gripping ribs 16, best shown in Figures 2 and 3. Preferably, the ribs are provided on all four sides of the box so that the cover may be removed without orienting it regardless of which sides are in contact with the fingers.

The interior of the box 10 is compartmentized by means of a latticework of dividing walls 18, which run parallel to the opposed side walls 22, 24 of the box. The dividing walls 18 are parallel with opposed side walls 22 and dividing walls 20 are parallel with opposed side walls 24. The dividing walls 18, 20 cross at right angles and are evenly spaced to provide square compartments 26 between the dividing walls themselves and between the dividing walls and the side walls of the box. Although the box shown in the drawing is square, it will be understood that it can be rectangular in shape. At the intersection of the dividing walls the joint may be reinforced by providing a round support 28 larger in diameter than t "ice 2,928,530 Patented Mar. 1 5 race 2 the thickness of the dividing walls, with which the livid ing walls are integrally molded.

The bottom 30 of the box has a plurality of fingerlike depressions 31 molded therein concentric with the intersection of the dividing walls 18, 20. The cylindrical walls of the finger-like depressions terminate in rounded or hemispherical end portions 34 and produce arcuate protuberances 32 which'project into each of the coinpartments 26 adjacent the intersection on whichlthedepression is formed. There is, therefore, an arcuate protuberance 32 at each of the four corners of each of the compartments 26. Where the sidewalls of the box form the completing sides of the enclosure 26, theprotnberances are semi-circular and at the cor-nersof'the box they are quarter-circular in cross section. M

It will be noted that the upper edges of'the dividing walls terminate some distance below the top edge 23 of the side wall 22 of the box. This insures finger space around the top of the cylindrical objects to facilitate insertion and removal from the compartment 26. Similarly, the end portions 34 of the depressions 31 are spaced from the top edges 21 of the dividing Walls. As a cylindrical object is placed in the compartment 26 it is guided into the space by the rounded ends 34. Pressure applied to the object seats it securely within the resilient embrace of the four arcuate protuberances 32.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show cylindrical objects A, B and C disposed within one compartment 26 of the box of the invention. Cylindrical object A is of larger diameter than object B and object B is larger in diameter than object C. Figure 6 shows that object C fits within the compartment with its sides just touching the arcuate protuberances 32. In Figure '5 the protuberances 32 are slightly depressed and in Figure 4, due to the increased diameter of object A, they are considerably depressed. In each case the vertical protuberances 32 support a considerable length of the object in contact therewith so that there is no tendency for the object to' incline but it remains in vertical position at all times and regardless of the attitude of the box itself.

It is important of course, that the protuberances be made from resilient material, preferably one that also has a slippery surface. I have found that polyethylene is admirably suited for this job because in addition to being resilient it has a waxy surface which greatly facilitates insertion and removal of the larger-sized objects particularly. Cellulose plastics, nylon and other thermoplastic materials may be used but polyethylene is preferred for the reasons indicated. Preferably, the entire box is molded at one time to form a single unitary structure.

The resilience of the material and the thickness of the compartment walls will determine the range of sizes that can be accommodated by a single-sized compartment. I have found that a box like the one illustrated in the drawing, molded from polyethylene, will accommodate twelve, sixteen and twenty gauge shotgun shells. The box of the invention has been found to be very useful for packaging shells which are normally purchased in cardboard cartons. The integrally molded plastic box of the invention is impervious to moisture and will with stand considerable rough handling. Sportsmen who load their own shells find a durable carton of this kind to be very useful since it may be reused again and again.

Although a preferred form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made in the construction of the box of the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. It is, therefore,

, my intention not to limit the invention other than as necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

l. A divided container for cylindrical objects of varying diameter comprising a box having a bottom and four side'walls a plurality ,ofu interseeting dividing walls running parallel with said side walls to form indiyidualsguare object-containing compartments, said bottom] having cylindrical fingerlike depressions concentric with theintersections of said dividing walls and extending upwardly into each of the compartments adjacent said intersections but below the top edges of saidjside walls,,said box being integrally molded from polyethylene plastic material;

- 2. A divided container for cylindrical objects of varying diameters comprising a rectangular box divided into individual square object-containing compartments by means of a latticework of dividing walls running parallel to the side walls of said lbox,.the bottom of said box having cylindrical finger-like depressions concentric with the interections of said dividing walls and projecting into the square spaces defined by said dividing walls to provide an arcuate'protuberance ateach corner of said square 7 terial is polyethylene. e y n References Cited in the file of patent UNITED STATES vPATENTS 199,746 Ricklefsen Jam, 1878 759,168 Fenn May 3, 1904 1,216,165 Richens Feb. 13, 1917 2,578,739 Randall Dec.18, 1951 2,840,256 

